Arc - Genesis of Flux - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - South's first mission - What defines a man from a boy

December 17, 998

Sunset

South sat in the back seat of the helicopter, the hum of the rotor blades filling the cabin. He held out his palm, and a Flux-infused karambit appeared. He began spinning it around, inspecting the blade pattern. With a flick of his wrist, the karambit dissolved into particles.

"Got a lighter?" South asked.

The pilot nodded. "It's right underneath your seat."

South reached down, finding a pile of files, a lighter, and some papers. Ignoring the papers, he grabbed the lighter and lit his cigarette, taking a long drag as the smoke drifted out the open door of the helicopter. He sat back with one leg on top of the other, resting his arm on the seat and laying back.

"Can you believe those fuckers back at Leichen?" South said, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Bunch of cowards. Especially Fischer. He's a fucker. I could take them all out if I needed to. But I'm only here to find my sister, not to work with those mutts."

The pilot laughed dismissively, glancing back at him. "Fischer would beat your ass. You're just full of talk, South. This mission's going to be your death sentence. The organisation doesn't need selfish people like you. You think you're special? You're not. You're just a loose cannon, and people like you are a liability. Your sister, North? She's probably dead, and even if she isn't, she isn't important. Just another lost soul in this damned world."

South's expression changed in a heartbeat, his gaze turning serious. The pilot suddenly heard a clicking sound from the back seat. South had manifested a Flux-infused pistol, pulling back the slide to make the distinct sound. The pilot's heart raced as he recognized the sound of a weapon being readied.

South leaned forward, his voice low. "Say my sister's name again, and it'll be the last thing you ever say."

The pilot felt fear creeping into his eyes. "Look, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just-"

"Apologise," South demanded, the karambit now appearing in his hand. He moved to the front and slid the blade under the pilot's neck, pressing it against his throat. The pilot's eyes widened in shock.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" the pilot stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

South held the blade steady. "You're a bitch like the rest. All bark, no bite. Don't ever mention my sister like that again."

The sounds in the cabin were silent. South held the pilot's gaze for a moment longer before stepping back and sitting down again, the karambit dissolving into particles. He leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other and resting his arm casually.

An hour passed in tense silence. The pilot kept his eyes on the horizon, the weight of South's presence heavy behind him. South flicked the last ash from his cigarette out of the open window, then snapped his fingers, igniting the discarded butt in mid-air. The small flame quickly vanished in the wind as the cigarette plummeted towards the ground.

Finally, the pilot spoke again, his tone more subdued. "We've arrived," he announced, dropping a thick rope out the side of the helicopter.

South stood and approached the rope, ready to descend. Just as he grabbed it, the pilot called out, "If you need help, use your radio to call through. We'll pick you up."

South paused, a serious look on his face as he removed his headset and hung it on the hook. "This should be an easy task," he replied confidently. He gave the pilot a final glance before grabbing the rope and jumping, shouting, "Godspeed!" as he slid down into the foggy, smoke-filled city below.

The cold air whipped past him as he descended, the wind howling in his ears. The fog was so dense that it obscured his vision. The occasional flashes of light could be seen through the mist.

He landed on the ground, his feet making a soft thud on the grass. For a moment, he stood still, watching the rope disappear into the fog.

Tapping his temple twice with two fingers, South activated his enhanced vision. The fog seemed to recede slightly, his surroundings coming into sharper focus. He could now see the cityscape more clearly. Crashed cars littered the streets, their alarms blaring. Flames erupted from several buildings, the acrid smell of burning materials.

Debris was scattered everywhere, from chunks of concrete to twisted metal. With the distant silhouettes of Netherwraiths moving through the city. South took a moment to survey the area, his heightened senses picking up the crackling of fires and the blaring of car horns.

"This is it," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the wind. With a final glance, South sprinted into the city. The mission had begun.

With a sudden burst of energy, his footsteps dug into the ground with each stride. In an instant, he launched himself forward with explosive speed, topping out at nearly 200 miles per hour. His frame blurred, accelerating rapidly as his body seemed to merge with the air around him.

As he bolted through the city, the world around him became a series of brief images. He dashed past burning cars, their metal frames twisted and scorched. The smell of burning rubber and gasoline filled his sense of smell. South could see the remains of storefronts, their windows shattered and various things scattered on the streets, and the occasional flash of light from sparking power lines.

"Focus," he muttered to himself, his voice disoriented and distorted by his speed. "Locate the Netherwraiths. Exterminate them."

He zipped past a streetlight, its wires sparking close to a pool of water from a broken hydrant. He manoeuvred through the streets. Broken glass crunched beneath his feet, though the sound barely registered at his velocity. His eyes scanned every shadow and alleyway, alert for any signs of life.

Suddenly, he heard desperate cries. His enhanced hearing picked up the human sounds, pulling him back to reality. As he raced through the streets at nearly 200 miles per hour, he knew he had to slow down quickly. Gradually decelerating, he braked with his body, his feet digging into the ground to reduce his speed. Once he had slowed enough, he launched himself forward again, his feet pounding the ground. As he gained speed, he dropped low, sliding on his side along the ground. One hand reached out, trailing behind him to maintain balance. The cries were clearer now.

He quickly identified the source, a small building, its structure partially collapsed. It had once been a clothing store, now reduced to rubble. South moved towards the shelter formed by fallen beams and slabs of concrete.

With adrenaline surging, South approached the group, scanning the area for any immediate threats. The cries were human and filled with despair, echoing through the wreckage. He climbed over debris, his shoes crunching on broken glass. The cries came from deep within the wreckage, muffled but persistent.

South's heart pounded as he entered the darkened interior of the building. He activated his Flux vision, enhancing his sight to navigate the dimness. As he moved further inside, the cries became more distinct, leading him to a small, makeshift shelter formed by fallen beams and slabs of concrete. There, he found a group of six survivors, their eyes wide with fear.

Among them was a married couple clutching a newborn baby. The wife looked terrified, clutching the baby close to her chest, while the husband stepped protectively in front of them. Nearby, a man huddled in the corner, having a breakdown, tears coming down his face. A young teenage girl sat close by, her eyes wide with terror. Another man, trying to stay calm, suddenly ran at South, attempting to throw a punch.

South's instincts kicked in instantly. He grabbed the man's fist effortlessly. "Calm," backhanding the man across the face. "The," kneeing him in the gut, causing him to spit out blood. "Fuck," delivering a spinning back kick to the face, sending the man crashing into the ground, bruised and bloody from the beating. "Down," he finished as the man lay on the floor in pain.

The wife screamed, clutching her baby tighter, while the husband tried to shield her from South. The teenage girl had a blank expression, seemingly indifferent to the violence. The man in the corner watched, his breakdown worsening.

"I won't repeat myself. You fuckers better get a grip," South barked, his voice echoing in the confined space. "I'm here to help, but I won't tolerate stupidity. So come with me."

The man on the ground nodded weakly, backing away with a fearful look on his face. "I-I'm sorry," he stammered, still trembling from the assault.

South took a deep breath, assessing the situation. "Alright, listen up," he said, his tone firm but reassuring. "I'm not here to hurt you. We're getting out of here, but you need to stay calm and follow my lead."

The husband looked at South, then at his wife, and nodded. "We'll follow you," he said, his voice shaking but determined to protect his family.

The teenage girl managed to whisper, "Thank you."

The man in the corner wiped his tears and took a deep breath. "Just get us out of here," he pleaded.

South led them through the debris, clearing a path as best as he could. "Stay quiet and close," he instructed.

Once they were outside the small shelter, South pulled out his radio and dialled in the dispatcher, the rest of the group huddled behind him in the clothing store.

"Dispatcher, this is South. I have six survivors here, including a baby. Requesting immediate extraction."

The dispatcher's voice crackled over the radio. "Negative, South. Focus on your mission. No rescue team available."

South's anger started to show. "What the fuck do you mean, no rescue team? There are children here, Get someone out here now!"

"Stop being such a snowflake, South," the dispatcher replied. "Your mission is to exorcise the wraiths, not play babysitter. Save your empathy for someone who cares. If you waste time on these people, you're jeopardising the entire operation."

South's grip tightened on the radio. "You heartless bastard! These are human lives we're talking about. I need a team here, now!"

"Your sentimentality is noted, but irrelevant," the dispatcher retorted. "Focus on the mission, South. This conversation is over." The line went dead, leaving South seething with rage and frustration.

He turned back to the group, trying to keep his composure. "Listen, the bastards aren't sending a rescue team. But I'm not leaving you here. We'll find a way out together."

The mother began to break down, tears streaming down her face. The father wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. "Baby, please, we need to trust him. We have to stay strong for our child."

South nodded, his voice softer but still firm. "Come with me. We're going to make it out of this city."

He led the group into the middle of the city square. As they started to follow him, the weight of their lives rested on his shoulders. South sensed something nearby, his instincts on high alert. He manifested a Flux-infused revolver in his hand. The design featured intricate engravings, with the word "Pantera" subtly etched along the barrel. He flicked out the chamber with a click, spinning it to load it with Flux bullets. The soft whirring sound filled the ambience as the chamber rotated, and with a clack, he snapped it back in place, ready for shooting.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream broke the silence. Out of nowhere, a netherwraith lunged at the man who had tried to punch South earlier. Its claws raked viciously across his chest, tearing through flesh and muscle. Blood sprayed from the deep gashes, soaking his shirt in crimson. The man screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground, his voice desperate.

"Help me!" he cried out, his voice cracking with terror.

The Netherwraith was relentless, its demonic face inches from his, roaring with a guttural, inhuman sound. It continued to claw at him, ripping into his midsection. Flesh and blood splattered across the ground, the man's screams mingling with the creature's horrifying growls. Each swipe of its claws tore deeper.

The other survivors couldn't see what had happened, their view obstructed by debris and panic. South turned sharply. "Wait here," he commanded. In an instant, he burst forward, the ground cracking beneath him as he accelerated. His form blurred into a spiral of Flux particles as he bolted at the creature, pointing the revolver at the back of the Netherwraith's head. He fired, and blood splattered across his face and the man's. The Netherwraith's corpse collapsed onto the man, pinning him to the ground.

The man freaked out, struggling to push the body off. South grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up. "Stop panicking and let's move," he ordered.

The man nodded, still shaking but managing to follow South's lead. They rejoined the group, and South quickly led them away. The man was bleeding heavily, his midsection a mess.

South laid him down on the pavement quickly, pulling out a medkit from his pack. "Hold still," he instructed, wrapping a bandage tightly around the man's midsection. Blood seeped through the bandage, but it slowed the bleeding significantly.

The man gritted his teeth, trying to stay composed. "I... I can make it. Just get us out of here," he said, his voice strained.

"You're tougher than you look," South remarked, tightening the bandage one last time. "This will hold for now. Let's move."

He helped the man to his feet, and they continued to follow South, moving as swiftly and quietly as possible. South's eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings, ready for any other threats that might emerge.

The rest of the group watched, their trust in South growing as he led them.

Suddenly, rumbling could be heard from afar. South could hear it, but the others couldn't.

South placed his hand on his forearm and summoned a drone. He threw it into the air with the force of a javelin throw and connected his vision to it. The drone oriented itself mid-air, scanning most of the city. "Oh, fuck," he muttered.

"What's wrong?" the mother asked, her voice trembling.

The father tried to calm her down. "It's okay, we'll be fine."

South glanced at them, urgency in his eyes. "these creatures are rushing down the streets, heading our direction. We need to move, now!" South said, detonating the drone. He started running, and the group followed. South tossed a grenade to distract the approaching Netherwraiths. "These ugly fuckers have super hearing or something," he explained as they sprinted away.

The mother looked terrified. "Are we going to make it?" she asked.

"We have to," the father replied, trying to reassure her and himself. "Just keep moving."

"It's not the time to be a bitch," South said. "Just stay close and keep quiet. Hurry!"

The group continued to follow South, moving as swiftly and quietly as possible.

They turned a corner, and suddenly, a Netherbrute slammed into the ground from above, presumably having been hanging off a building. The force of its impact shattered the ground, sending shockwaves that pushed the group backward. The sheer weight of the brute caused the ground to crack and debris to fly.

The force threw South and the others off their feet. South quickly regained his footing, his eyes narrowing at the brute. "Everyone, stay down!" he shouted, running to each of them, helping them up, and regrouping the scattered survivors.

"We need to move, now!" South commanded, his voice urgent but controlled. He pointed to an overturned car near the curb. "Get behind that car, quickly!"

The group, shaken but determined, scrambled to their feet and dashed toward the car. They huddled behind it, trying to catch their breath. The mother clutched her baby tightly, her eyes wide with fear.

"Are we safe here?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"For now," South replied, keeping his eyes on the Netherbrute. "Just stay quiet and keep low."

The father tried to reassure his wife, though his own voice wavered. "We'll be okay. Just listen to him."

The teenage girl, still with a blank expression, glanced at South. "What's the plan?"

South took a deep breath, assessing the situation. "We need to wait for the right moment to move. That brute is smart, but if we stay calm, we can outmanoeuvre it. Stay ready."

The man who had attacked South earlier, now bandaged and in pain, nodded weakly. "Just get us out of here, please," he muttered.

South gave him a nod. "I will. We just need to stay together and stay focused. When I say go, we move. Got it?"

The group nodded. Suddenly, the husband turned to his wife. "Please give me the baby darling," he said softly.

The wife looked at him, confusion and fear in her eyes, but she handed over the baby. The husband cradled her gently, kissing the baby's forehead. "I love you. I know you'll be a great person one day," he whispered.

He then handed the baby back to his wife and kissed her softly. "I love you. Please take care of her for me."

Before she could react, he vaulted over the car trunk, flaring his arms up and screaming, "Hey, come and get me!"

The wife screamed, trying to run after him. "What are you doing? Get back here!"

South grabbed her, holding her back. "Stay here. I'll deal with this."

The Netherbrute charged at the husband, who ran as fast as he could, trying to lead it away from the group. South vaulted over the car, his hand shaking as he formed a railgun. He aimed at the Netherbrute, but it was too late. The brute reached the husband grabbing and crushed him with its massive hands. The sound of bones shattering. Blood soaked on its hands as the brute's claws tore through his ribcage and lower body.

South fired the railgun, shouting, "go fuck yourself" The gun charged up rapidly, it blew the Netherbrute's head clean off. pieces of the creature's skull and brain matter flew in all directions, splattering the surroundings.

South sprinted to the husband's side. The husband's chest caved in and his lower half torn apart. South dropped to his knees, covering the man's hand with both of his own. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking.

He turned back, leaving the corpse there and returned to the group. The wife looked at him expectantly, hope in her eyes. South shook his head, and her face crumbled as she fell to the ground, wailing in grief.

"No! No! Please, no!" she screamed.

South knelt beside her, his heart heavy. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with anguish. "Look, I know this is a nightmare, but we have to keep moving. He wouldn't want you to die here. Get up. We have to go."

The teenage girl and the guys looked on in horror, the reality of their situation sinking in. South stood up. "We have to move for his sake.."

Her sobs didn't cease, but she nodded, allowing herself to be helped up. The group moved away from the car.

After a couple minutes of running and taking breaks to find an exit a mysterious figure appeared on a rooftop near a twenty-story building. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned a netherwraith. The wraith, towering and purple with greyish hair, stood next to him, staring down at the people below. South's senses activated immediately, sensing the powerful presence above. He summoned a sniper rifle, aimed at the wraith and the figure, and fired.

The mysterious man laughed. "Impressive. Not many on Azheinn have such heightened senses. His potential is far from reached," he mused, backing up from the shots. He glanced at the wraith and commanded, "Do your job." With that, he disappeared into thin air.

The wraith leaped from the rooftop, slamming into the ground below as South and the others moved forward. The impact was devastating. The man who had his midsection carved earlier was caught directly under the wraith's immense weight. The force of the landing drove him into the ground, bones crunching as his body was brutally flattened. Blood splattered outward in a burst.

As the smoke cleared, the creature's form became visible. A massive Oni wielding a kanabo. Its Oni mask was seemingly engraved into its skull. The scent of the Oni was horrid, like a rotting corpse. South, feeling the weight of its presence, shouted, "Do these fuckers really have the genetics to produce odours? Because what the fuck, you smell like a walking corpse."

The Oni's eyes glinted with anger as it lifted its kanabo and slammed it into the ground. Chains erupted from the ground beneath South, wrapping around him and yanking him down with immense force. South's body hit the ground hard, the sound of the slam echoing through the street. The chains bound him tightly, making it almost impossible to move.

The Oni's mask seemed to split and stretch as it grinned, its lips curling unnaturally wide to reveal rows of jagged teeth. The skin around its mouth cracked and peeled back, as if its smile was tearing its own face apart.

The Oni walked over South, heading towards the group behind him. The man who had breakdowns tried to run out of fear, but the Oni hurled its kanabo with brutal force. The weapon, twice the man's size, collided with him, shattering his bones and crushing his body into a pulp against the pavement.

The Oni then turned its gaze to the wife. In shock, she dropped to her knees, the baby slipping from her grasp. The Oni's hand shot out, grabbing her and flinging her into a nearby building with such force that her body shattered on impact. Bones protruded from her flesh, her survival rate rendered impossible by the sudden destruction of her body.

The teenage girl, seeing the carnage, tried to run. South, watching helplessly, felt like his lungs were being crushed under the immense power of the chains "Run!" he managed to shout, his voice strained.

The girl sprinted into the alleys, desperately trying to escape. South's heart pounded as he struggled against the chains binding him to the ground. The girl's shoes slipped on the bloody pavement. The Oni's footsteps thundered behind her, closing the distance with each step.

"Help! Somebody, please!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the alley walls.

As South fought to free himself, the horrific images of the innocent people who had just been brutally slaughtered flashed before his eyes. Rage boiled within him, his body trembling with the intensity of his fury. The chains that held him began to strain and creak under the force of his sheer willpower.

Drawing on every ounce of his strength, South's muscles bulged and his veins throbbed as he pushed against the chains. His teeth gritted and his breath came in ragged gasps. The chains dug painfully into his skin, but he didn't relent. The memory of the carnage powered his will.

In a moment of pure rage, South let out a guttural roar, his body shivering with the effort. The chains snapped, shattering into pieces as he broke free. South stood up, his body vibrating with residual anger and adrenaline.

As the chains shattered, South sprinted to the baby. He checked if she was still alive and, to his relief, she was. Without wasting a second, he cradled the baby in his arms and dashed towards a nearby cafe. He placed the baby in a safe spot, away from the scorching heat of the burning buildings, ensuring the baby was protected from the chaos outside.

South's body hummed with adrenaline as he took a deep breath and launched himself back into the street. The sheer force of his acceleration sent a powerful gust of wind in his wake, fanning the particles around him. In an instant, he was at the alley, sliding into position. He grabbed his railgun from his back.

Aiming at the Oni's head, he pressed the trigger. The railgun charged up, humming with power. "Fuck you," South muttered, and the railgun sent a high-velocity projectile shooting towards its target. In a blur of motion, the Oni's afterimage wavered and then it was suddenly behind South, its massive fist driving towards him.

Before the blow could land, a man appeared, clashing fists with the Oni. The impact was immense, the sheer force of their clash sending powerful winds slicing through the air around them, but the muscular man barely managed to stop the Oni's fist from pulverising South.

From behind, a second man hurled a tether spear with incredible force. The Tether flew through the air like a blade, impaling the Oni in the back. The Oni screamed in pain as the second man's eyes shifted, turning into a shade of blue that resembled the depths of the ocean. The man's intense gaze seemed to penetrate the Oni's very soul, mentally disabling the creature and draining all its Flux usage. He struggled visibly, his face contorted with effort, as he fought to keep the Oni immobilised.

South, still on edge, put his railgun away but then whipped out a handgun from his holster, aiming it at both men. "Who the fuck are you?"

The first man turned to South with a happy grin. Despite his age, he moved with impressive speed and strength. "Relax, we're here to help. My name's Chinjo, and this is my buddy Kazuya."

Kazuya nodded, studying the Oni intently. "We need to study Netherwraiths for a purpose, but it looks like we've stumbled upon something that's never been discovered."

South's grip on his gun tightened. "And what the hell does that have to do with me?"

Chinjo chuckled. "Nothing, really. Just thought you might appreciate not getting your ass handed to you."

"Fuck off," South spat. "How about you mind your own business?"

Without hesitation, he fired at Chinjo. Chinjo moved with lightning speed, catching the bullet with ease. He looked at it for a moment before crushing it into pieces in his hand. "No need for that," he said calmly, trying to defuse the situation. "We're on the same side here. I think?" Chinjo laughs intensely.

South, still on edge, whispered to himself, "Great, now I have an elderly, crazy comedian that catches my bullets with a death wish."

Chinjo, hearing him, instantly switched from laughing to a serious, straight face. "What did you say?"

"You're a bitch," South replied bluntly.

Chinjo sighed. "Your ability is cool, but it's a shame the user has to be such an entitled dick. Maybe one day you'll learn some manners."

South bit back, glaring at Chinjo. "You look like a dried-up prune, geezer, with all those wrinkles."

Chinjo flicked his wrist, igniting his flames, and lunged at South. South flinched, trying to block the shot, but then Chinjo burst into laughter. "You fell for it!"

"Be quiet," South snapped. "I'd beat your ass if I wasn't half tired."

Kazuya interrupted, cutting through their argument. "Both of you, stop. Chinjo, this is a rare find. The Luminary Order will be very interested in this."

South glared at Chinjo. "Just get the hell out of here."

Chinjo raised an eyebrow. "You sure? I run a fruit shop. I could give you a discount."

"Leave," South said straight and annoyed.

Chinjo sighed, his smile fading slightly. "Alright, alright. But seriously, think about it. You could use some fresh fruit."

"Shut the fuck up and go," South snapped.

Chinjo calmed down again. "Alright, alright, I'm going. But you know where to find me if you want that discount!"

Kazuya looked at Chinjo and nodded. "We have what we came for." He grabbed his Tether and slammed it into the ground. A beam of iridescent light, swirling with hues of purple, green and blue, enveloped them and the Oni. The beam shot up into the sky, and as they entered it, they were transported into a dimension filled with cascading, shimmering lights that looked like the northern lights.

Before they vanished completely, Chinjo glared at South. As the lights wrapped around him, he whispered in a trance-like voice, "goodbye."

South stood there, still processing what had happened, his rage barely contained. He turned to the girl. "Let's get out of here with a bang," he said, leading her away from the alley.

They moved cautiously through the ruins, South constantly on alert. The girl, still shaken, followed closely. "What was that thing?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Just a shitty nightmare," South replied. He brought the teenager to the cafe, instructing her to take care of the baby. As he walked out the door, the bell above it chimed softly. Inside, the teenager looked at him.

"Who were those people?" she asked.

South paused, his expression hard. "I'm not sure," he said, then turned and left the cafe.

Outside, South walked to the middle of the city square, forming a tactical knife in his hand. He slashed his wrist, letting the blood drip to attract the Netherwraiths.

A couple of minutes passed, and the Netherwraiths closed in around him. South waited, forming five heavy grenades he had designed, setting their timers perfectly to ensure his escape. He pulled out his radio and spoke with a controlled intensity. "Mission complete. Get me a fucking pickup."

"Affirmative," the dispatcher replied.

As the grenades' timers counted down, one of the Netherwraiths lunged at South, trying to swipe at him. He sprinted towards the cafe, avoiding the attack. Bursting back into the cafe, he scooped up the baby and grabbed the teenager. "Let's go!" he shouted.

They then escaped, and the helicopter arrived 20 minutes later. South walked in holding the baby, with the girl in front of him. The pilot glanced back and asked, "Why are there children here?"

South replied, "Listen, this is the best I can do for this baby and the little girl. They've been through hell."

The pilot sighed, then nodded in agreement. The helicopter's blades began to spin, and they took off, leaving the devastated city behind.

Location: Luminary Order Base, Manager's Room

December 18, 998

Midnight

Chinjo and Kazuya sat next to each other, facing a man seated behind a large desk.

"We've never seen anything like this," Chinjo said, his voice filled with a mix of awe and concern.

Kazuya nodded. "It had pure corrupted Flux, and its immense mental power made it difficult to read."

The man leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "What else did you encounter?" Chinjo glanced at Kazuya before continuing.

"There was also a guy with a railgun and some weird arsenal abilities." The man raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about South Volgenov?" His facial expression changed, indicating recognition.

Chinjo and Kazuya exchanged glances. "We're not sure," Chinjo replied, "but he was a jackass who spoke English with a Russian accent."

The man sighed, confirming their suspicions. "That's South Volgenov. I can't reveal specific details, but he's had a rough childhood. He was an orphan, getting taken care of by a church, as a young boy. However, he ended up in a bombing, losing his siblings and he trained in the wildlife for who knows how long. I wonder what he's doing now."

Chinjo and Kazuya hummed in understanding. The man shifted the conversation back to the Oni. "Where is it now?"

Kazuya grinned. "He's held captive in Chinjo's basement. Trust me, the beast won't be escaping anytime soon. Chinjo may look like an old man, but he's got a prison down there that makes Fort Knox look like a playground."

The man nodded. "We'll send a scientist over to study it." Chinjo and Kazuya agreed with nods. "Do you know the scientist's tea preference?" Chinjo asked.

The man shook his head. "I don't know their preference, but I'll make them inform me of what it is." Chinjo chuckled. "Alright, we'll be ready."

With that, the meeting concluded, leaving an air of anticipation for the next steps. Chinjo and Kazuya walked out of the room, Chinjo sipping his coffee.

Kazuya looked thoughtful. "That South guy," Kazuya said, breaking the silence. "Why do you think he was in that city?"

Chinjo took another sip of his coffee, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Who knows? But something tells me we haven't seen the last of him." They continued walking, their thoughts pondering with the possibilities of what was to come.